Furniture accessory storage system with height adjustment mechanism

ABSTRACT

A furniture accessory storage system includes an outer basket receptacle, an inner basket liner, and a support extension piece that is configured to selectably couple with the outer basket receptacle and provide adjustable support by holding the system in place adjacent to the interstitial space of a furniture item. The furniture accessory storage system is useful for storing and organizing commonly used household accessories near a bedside, living room couch, or other furniture item. An adjustable riser allows the receptacle to be selectively elevated in relation to the support. A pivoting locking pawl engages a vertical-strung gear-rack, such that to adjust elevation, a user manually withdraws the pawl, lifts or lowers the receptacle, and reengages the pawl with the gear-rack.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/371,498 filed Aug. 5, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of receptacles and more specifically relates to accessory organizers.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

There are many items that individuals need nearby as they go to bed. Items, such as phones, remotes, books, tablet computers, and more need to be close and accessible so that users may reach for them when desired. Some individuals have nightstands, however these quickly become cluttered and some do not have space in their bedroom for a table. Placing items on the floor can cause damage to the items, and setting the items on the bed may result in the items falling off of the bed and interrupting sleep. Individuals may potentially get out of bed to search for the fallen object. A more efficient alternative is needed.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,578,528 to Greg Heare relates to an accessory storage system. The described accessory storage system includes an accessory storage system used with a mattress unit and a box springs unit. The system has a mounting member with a generally planar bed securing member and a generally planar storage securing member. The system has a storage member with a large storage cavity and a small storage cavity. The small storage cavity is located on the large storage cavity. For use, the mounting member is pivoted fully open to about a ninety degree angle. The bed securing member is fully inserted in between a mattress unit bottom surface and a box springs unit top surface. The back surface of the storage securing member is located flush against the mattress unit. The first large storage cavity side is located flush against the front surface of the storage securing member and held securely into place via the securing slots and the securing extensions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known receptacles art, the present disclosure provides a novel furniture accessory storage system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a receptacle for storing personal accessories that may be configured for removably coupling to a furniture item.

A furniture accessory storage system is disclosed herein. The furniture accessory storage system may include an outer basket receptacle, an inner basket liner, and a support extension piece that is configured to selectably couple with the outer basket receptacle and provide adjustable support by holding the system in place adjacent to the interstitial space of a furniture item. An adjustable riser allows the receptacle to be selectively elevated in relation to the support. A pivoting locking pawl engages a vertical-strung gear-rack, such that to adjust elevation, a user manually withdraws the pawl, lifts or lowers the receptacle, and reengages the pawl with the gear-rack.

According to another embodiment, a method for using the furniture accessory storage system is also disclosed herein. The method for using the furniture accessory storage system may include placing the inner basket liner within the outer basket receptacle, adjusting the height of the outer basket receptacle, and inserting the support extension piece within a furniture item.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a furniture accessory storage system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the furniture accessory storage system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the furniture accessory storage system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the furniture accessory storage system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the furniture accessory storage system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an adjustable furniture accessory storage system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the adjustable furniture accessory storage system of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the adjustable furniture accessory storage system of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the adjustable furniture accessory storage system of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the adjustable furniture accessory storage system of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an accessory organizer and more particularly to a furniture accessory storage system as used to improve the storage of personal items and accessories in proximity of a furniture item.

Generally, the present invention may provide users with a convenient and accessible location for storing items that are commonly used while in bed. This device may effectively eliminate the occurrence of needing to place items on the floor or on the bed. It may also allow individuals to remain in bed while effortlessly reaching for the items they need. The furniture accessory storage system may additionally be useful for replacing a nightstand or for keeping a multitude of items cluttered on a bedside table. The device includes a receptacle able to be disposed by the bedside and an organizer which may be nested within the receptacle. A panel affixes the receptacle to the bed, able to be sandwiched between a mattress and box spring to cantilever the device outwardly from the bedside. The present invention offers a close and accessible alternative to other bedroom storage devices.

An adjustable riser allows the receptacle to be selectively elevated in relation to the support. A pivoting locking pawl engages a vertical-strung gear-rack, such that to adjust elevation, a user manually withdraws the pawl, lifts or lowers the receptacle, and reengages the pawl with the gear-rack.

The item of this disclosure may specifically be used for placing cell phones, tv remotes, or other hand-held items that may commonly be used in bed or near a sofa, into a basket or receptacle that is non-permanently attached to the bed. This may benefit the user by keeping their personal items organized without having to worry about sitting on them or knocking them off of a bed our couch while sleeping.

In one embodiment, the disclosed item may include a plastic basket with 2 flat prong-like extensions, which may be placed between the mattress and box spring of a bed. The included basket may be approximately as high as the thickness of the bed. Not all people (specifically college students and young entrepreneurs) own a bedstand or coffee table that may commonly be positioned next to a bed or living room sofa. This furniture accessory storage system may provide an inexpensive and novel solution for people in that situation.

Alternate embodiments of the furniture accessory storage system may include a basket or storage compartment that includes at least one removable liner. This may allow a user to remove the liner for easy cleaning and storage. Additional features may include a height adjustment mechanism with a notched adjuster on the basket and/or the furniture coupling assembly. The furniture accessory storage system may be constructed from metals, plastics, rubber, and other soft polymers that may be durable and easily cleaned.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-9, various views of a furniture accessory storage system 100. FIG. 1 shows a furniture accessory storage system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the furniture accessory storage system 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 40 for storage of personal items and accessories in proximity of a furniture item 10 having a support frame 15 and a cushion 20. As illustrated, the furniture accessory storage system 100 may include an outer basket receptacle 110 (also referred to as an organizer) having an inner volume 111 which may be configured to be inserted within an interstitial space 150 of a furniture item 10. Outer basket receptacle 110 may have an underside 200 and an upperside 210 opposite the underside 200. Upperside 210 may define inner volume 111.

According to one embodiment, the furniture accessory storage system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the furniture accessory storage system 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the furniture accessory storage system 100 (such that the furniture accessory storage system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).

FIG. 2 shows the furniture accessory storage system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the furniture accessory storage system 100 may include an outer basket receptacle 110 having an inner volume 111, a front side 112, a backside 113 having a left connection site 114 (also referred to as a first-aperture) and a right connection site 115 (also referred to as a second-aperture), a bottom surface 117, and a main opening 118 defined by a perimeter wall circumscribing the bottom surface 117. Outer basket receptacle may be further defined by length 220, width 222, right-side 224, left-side 226, and outer-sidewall 240. Further, inner volume 111 may be shaped and divided into first-longitudinal subcompartment 250, second-longitudinal subcompartment 252, third-longitudinal subcompartment 254, fourth-longitudinal subcompartment 256, and circular cupholder (or main opening) 118. First-longitudinal subcompartment 250 may be along right-side 224 and second-longitudinal subcompartment 252 may be along 226. Trays 250, 252, 254, and 256 may each be parallel to each other and may each be rectangular in shape. Circular cupholder 118 may be proximate to front side 112 and may take the shape of a cylindrical bore able to accept a beverage cup. Trays 254 and 256 may together be disposed between subcompartments 250 and 252, and may be placed between circular cupholder 118 and backside 113.

The furniture accessory storage system 100 may further include a support extension piece 130 (or planar member) having a furniture securing end 134 (having a first-tine and a second-tine as illustrated) with rounded edges 136 configured for insertion within an interstitial space 150 of a furniture item 10 (150 and 10 not featured in FIG. 2; please refer to FIG. 1). The included rounded edges 136 may assist in helping to prevent damage to the furniture item 10.

The furniture accessory storage system 100 may additionally feature an inner basket liner 140, which may be configured to fit securely within said outer basket receptacle 110. The inner basket liner 140 may include a plurality of compartments 141 and a perimeter lip 142 (also referred to as a rounded lip) configured to extend around the top edge of the outer basket receptacle 110.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the furniture accessory storage system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The furniture accessory storage system 100 may include an outer basket receptacle 110 having a front side 112, a left connection site 114, and a right connection site 115. The furniture accessory storage system 100 may additionally include a support extension piece 130 having a left groove fitting 131, a right groove fitting 132, a furniture securing end 134, and a connecting end 135. The furniture securing end 134 of the support extension piece 130 may include rounded edges 136 configured to prevent or reduce damage during use.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the furniture accessory storage system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The furniture accessory storage system 100 may feature an outer basket receptacle 110 having an inner volume 111, a front side 112, a backside 113 having a left connection site 114, and a right connection site 115, a bottom surface 117, and a main opening 118 defined by a perimeter wall circumscribing the bottom surface 117. The left connection site 114 may be configured to retain a support extension piece 130 having a connecting end 135 and a furniture securing end 134, the furniture securing end 134 featuring rounded edges 136. Similarly, the right connection site 115 may also be configured to retain a support extension piece 130 having a connecting end 135 and a furniture securing end 134, the furniture securing end 134 featuring rounded edges 136.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the furniture accessory storage system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, support extension piece 130 (FIG. 3) having a left groove fitting 131 (FIG. 3), and a right groove fitting 132 (FIG. 3) is not utilized. Rather, outer basket receptacle 110 (also referred to as receptacle) connects to support extension piece 130 (also referred to as mount) via first tongued rack 310 and second tongued rack 320. As before, receptacle 110 may have rectangular outer sidewall 300 defining a rectangular inner volume 111. A lateral side of receptacle 110 may have a geared-rack 330 integrated into an exterior of the rectangular outer sidewall 300. Gear-rack 330 may have a plurality of teeth 332 arrayed linearly and in series. The plurality of teeth 332 may be together pointed towards one of first tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320. Gear-rack 330 is disposed in between of first tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320. Each of first tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320 have a groove 312 (FIG. 8) which faces towards gear rack 330. First tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320 are oriented parallel to each other, such that the respective grooves 312 (FIG. 8) directly face each other and also run parallel to each other. Preferably, gear-rack 330 is oriented in parallel to each of first tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320. Inner basket liner 140 (FIG. 4) (also identified as inner organizer 270, FIG. 9) is insertable into rectangular inner volume 111.

Support extension piece 130 (which may also be referred to as the mount) may have panel 340, riser 350, and indexer 360. Panel 240 and riser 350 may meet at an angle at edge 342, such as between sixty and one-hundred-and-twenty degrees. Preferably, panel 340 and riser 350 may meet at edge 342 perpendicularly. (For the purposes of this specification, perpendicularly means within five degrees of a ninety-degree angle.) Riser 350 may be a flat and substantially rectangular member having edges of consistent thickness matching the width of grooves 312. In addition, the width of riser 350 may match the distance between first tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320. Accordingly, riser 350 may be slid within both grooves 312 (FIG. 8) and may be held between first tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320, being able to slide along an axis parallel to each of first tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320.

Indexer 360 may be pivotably attached to riser 350. Indexer may have a body 362, a lever 364 integrated with the body 362, and a tooth 366 integrated with the body 362. Tooth 366 and lever 364 may be disposed on opposite sides of body 362. Fulcrum 368 may affix body 362 to riser 350, and it is fulcrum 368 which indexer 360 pivots upon relative to riser 350 upon pivot-axis 352 as shown. Tooth 366 is positioned such that it may engage plurality of teeth 332 of gear-rack 330. Lever 364 is a handle activatable by a user to rotate indexer 360 pivotably relative to riser 350 and disengage or engage tooth 366 from gear-rack 330.

FIG. 6 is a frontal view of an embodiment of the furniture accessory storage system 100 of FIG. 1, showing the indexer in a fixed state. Indexer 360 is shown in a resting, fixed position with tooth 366 engaged with plurality of teeth 332 of gear-rack 330. In this condition, riser 350 is unable to slide vertically within first tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320.

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of an embodiment of the furniture accessory storage system 100 of FIG. 1, showing the indexer in an unfixed and adjustable state. Indexer 360 is shown in a withdrawn, unfixed position with tooth 366 disengaged with plurality of teeth 332 of gear-rack 330. In this condition, riser 350 is able to slide vertically within first tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the furniture accessory storage system 100 of FIG. 1 detailing the grooves of the receptacle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, receptacle 110 includes first tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320. Each of first tongued track 310 and second tongued track 320 include groove 312. Grooves 312 face each other such that they can retain riser 350 (FIG. 5) between them.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the insertable organizer of the furniture accessory storage system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Organizer 270 may be insertable inter rectangular internal volume 111 (FIG. 5). Organizer 270 may be defined by Organizer 270 may be further defined by right-side 224, left-side 226, and outer-sidewall 240. Further, organizer 270 may be shaped and divided into first-longitudinal subcompartment 250, second-longitudinal subcompartment 252, third-longitudinal subcompartment 254, fourth-longitudinal subcompartment 256, and circular cupholder (or main opening) 118. First-longitudinal subcompartment 250 may be along right-side 224 and second-longitudinal subcompartment 252 may be along 226. Trays 250, 252, 254, and 256 may each be parallel to each other and may each be rectangular in shape. Circular cupholder 118 may be proximate to front side 112 and may take the shape of a cylindrical bore able to accept a beverage cup. Trays 254 and 256 may together be disposed between subcompartments 250 and 252, and may be placed between circular cupholder 118 and backside 113.

It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for the furniture accessory storage system 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. An adjustable furniture accessory storage system, the system comprising: a receptacle having a rectangular outer sidewall defining a rectangular inner volume, a first tongued track, a second tongued track parallel to the first tongued track, and a geared-rack disposed between the first tongued rack and the second tongued track; an inner basket liner insertable into the rectangular inner volume of the receptacle; and a mount having a panel, a riser affixed to the panel at an angle between sixty and one-hundred and twenty degrees, the riser having a first-edge engagable with the first tongued track and a second-edge engagable with the second tongued track, the first-edge and the second-edge being parallel to each other, such that the riser rides between the first tongued track and the second tongued track, an indexer pivotably connected to the riser, the indexer including a tooth able to engage the geared-rack when the indexer is pivoted towards the geared-rack, and a lever rigidly affixed to the tooth and able to rotate the indexer about the pivot-axis when manually manipulated by a user.
 2. The adjustable furniture accessory storage system of claim 1, wherein the inner basket liner further comprises an underside including a belly able to nest within the rectangular inner volume of the receptacle, a first-rectangular channel having a first-aperture, and a second-rectangular channel having a second-aperture; an upperside opposite the underside, the upperside including a length separating a bottom-edge and a top-edge, a width separating a right-side and a left-side, an outer-sidewall bounding the upperside, a first-longitudinal subcompartment along the right-side, a second-longitudinal subcompartment along the left-side, the second-longitudinal subcompartment paralleling and mirroring the first-longitudinal subcompartment, a circular cupholder disposed proximally to the bottom-edge and between the first-longitudinal subcompartment and the second-longitudinal subcompartment, a third-longitudinal subcompartment disposed between the circular cupholder and the top-edge, and a fourth-longitudinal subcompartment disposed between the circular cupholder and the top-edge, wherein the first-longitudinal subcompartment, the second-longitudinal subcompartment, the third-longitudinal subcompartment, and the fourth-longitudinal subcompartment are each rectangular in shape and each are parallel to each other; and a perimeter-lip delineating where the underside and the upperside meet, the perimeter-lip extending outwardly from the upperside and able to nest over the rectangular outer sidewall of the receptacle. 